Steele leads Adams in Chelan County and across 12th District

Mike Steele is running for 12th Legislative District House Position 2 in the Nov. 3 general election.

Maggie Adams is running for 12th Legislative District House Position 2 in the Nov. 3 general election.

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CHELAN COUNTY — Mike Steele held an early lead over Maggie Adams among Chelan County voters and across the district in the race for Washington’s 12th Legislative District House Position 2 seat after results were released Nov. 3.

In Chelan County, Mike Steele received 15,381 votes (62.25%), while Maggie Adams received 9,296 (37.62%), according to unofficial results reported as of 8:37 p.m. Nov. 3.

The candidates were separated by 6,085 votes in Chelan County.

Across the full district, which includes communities in Chelan, King and Snohomish counties, Mike Steele received 26,329 votes (54.38%), while Maggie Adams received 22,031 (45.50%). Steele led by 4,298 votes districtwide.

In King County’s portion of the district, Steele received 4,930 (42.90%) to Adams’ 6,552 (57.02%). In Snohomish County’s portion, Steele received 6,018 (49.26%) to Adams’ 6,183 (50.61%).

Steele finished first and Adams second districtwide in the certified Aug. 4 primary. Steele led in Chelan County, while Adams performed more strongly in the district’s western communities.

Steele, a Chelan Republican first elected in 2016, is seeking a sixth term. As the ranking Republican on the House Capital Budget Committee, he has emphasized bipartisan negotiation and investment in public buildings and infrastructure.

In an October response to Ward Media, Steele cited projects in King and Snohomish counties as examples of his districtwide work, including $1.2 million for the Snoqualmie YMCA expansion and $798,000 for the Sultan Osprey Park sports field expansion in the 2025-27 capital budget.

Adams, a Snoqualmie Democrat and union representative, has emphasized health care access, housing affordability and the financial pressures facing working households. She has proposed a state single-payer health care system and greater investment in public infrastructure and services.

Adams has also called for a moratorium on new data centers and battery energy storage sites until lawmakers establish updated environmental regulations, arguing that water and power policy should protect residents and agriculture.

Steele, reached by phone on Tuesday night, told Ward Media “I’m pleased with the initial results, and it looks like the people are going to return me to the legislature for another term. I look forward to continuing to serve the people of one of the largest districts in the state.”

The Adams campaign did not have published contact information to call at press time.

The results are unofficial. Chelan County’s next results update is scheduled for 5 p.m. Nov. 4.

Andrew Simpson: 509-433-7626 or andrew@ward.media